The lightest one you can find will quite likely recoil too much for them.

 

The lightest one you can find will quite likely recoil too much for them.

I agree; a lot will depend on how old and their size

 

I'll take the extra recoil over actually being able to handle it.

 

I'll take the extra recoil over actually being able to handle it.

You will? That's great, but likely they won't. How old are we talking, and what size?

 

Oldest just turned 8. He needs something under 6 pounds. All I've found so far is the mossy sa20 and the weatherby.

 

https://www.galleryofguns.com/gallery/Y ... &pid=&inv=

 

Does it have to be a Semi auto? The Stevens 555 Youth model in 28 or 410 my also be a consideration. Gets a plus for ease of use and should shoot the lightest loads so no cycling issues. It should hold up to the shooting an eight year old will do (unless your going to have him out 3 times a week) and resale should be the same when he out grows it. The few that I've handled have been extremely light weight. Just throwing it out there.

 

Oldest just turned 8. He needs something under 6 pounds. All I've found so far is the mossy sa20 and the weatherby.

At that age, I introduced mine to a single shot break open, with seriously reduced hand loads.

 

Check out the Tri-Star 20ga. youth model on Gallery of guns. it's definitely worth a look-see.

 

What will they use it for? On the Skeet/Trap/what ever fields, or hunting?

I'd look for a youth 1187, with a shorter barrel. I've found while coaching youngsters, it's the front weight they can't support for long.

Edited to add: when my son was young and competing with 4H/SCTP, I made him a gun rack on wheels, so he didn't have to carry the weight while waiting his turn to shoot...

 

As a dad, a hunter ed instructor and shotgun instructor I have helped hundreds of novice and near novice kids learn to shoot a shotgun. Their age is not the most important criterion for when they should start shooting a shotgun. Kids vary in size, strength, coordination and desire to learn to shoot. I think that of these size and desire to learn are the most important. I think it is best to wait until they are 80 pounds and seriously interested. If they are smaller that usual, I get them to building their upper body strength with half gallon milk jugs for a month before they shoot. The keys to success with kids are guns that fit, very light loads, good mechanics and giving them an easy to break target. If they break a target in their first four or five shots, the weight and recoil will not be a problem. It is best to give them an incoming target and keep the first sessions short.